TRENTON — Shirley Turner is on her way to Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, with the hopes of helping one city business stay economically viable.

Turner, a state senator who represents 15th district, is one of nine appointed officials invited to make the trip to the Far East, paid for by the Taiwanese government, in an effort to help build trade relations between the state and Taiwan.

“For me this trip is very important, because I am going to try to make a personal pitch on behalf of Hutchinson Industries,” said Turner. “This is a two-way street and I believe in fair trade.”

Trenton-based custom wheel manufacturer, Hutchinson Industries, has been providing custom design recommendations to the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense for almost a decade. Recently the company attempted to bid on a contract which would grant Hutchinson the rights to produce and export custom wheels for Taiwan’s military vehicles, earning the company millions of dollars and securing employment for hundreds locally, according to Turner.

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“They attempted to place a bid, but the Ministry said they never received the bid,” said the Senator. “I am going to meet with (the ministry,) and help to facilitate and hopefully make a case for Hutchinson’s to the Taiwanese. All Hutchinson wants is a fair hearing”

The senator, who has been in constant communication with President and Chief Executive Officer Olivier Marsaly and Mark Young, General Manager of Hutchinson Industries’ Wheel Division, to understand the needs of the company. The manufacturing company, which has bought and renovated three buildings in the city, has purchased $30 million dollar’s worth of supplies and raw materials from the Taiwanese over the last decade.

“They just want to see a return on their investment, in good faith, a fair quid-pro-quo,” said the senator. According to Turner if Hutchinson loses the contract, the company may be forced to lay off employees at their Trenton-based manufacturing plant.

“Trenton has already lost so much manufacturing and the city cannot take another loss, the city is in a dire financial struggle,” said Turner. According to Turner, the primary form of employment in the city is federal and state jobs. “Trenton cannot make it on government alone,” Turner told The Trentonian.

Executives from Hutchinson declined comment on the bid or Turner’s pending visit to the Ministry.

The delegation, which includes State Sen. Donald Norcross representing South New Jersey, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and six assembly representatives, will leave for Taiwan Saturday evening and will spend six days meeting with country leaders and ministries in an effort to equalize trade between the state and Taiwan.

“The Taiwanese government is trying to expand their market and they know New Jersey is a very rich state, with residents who have money and are willing to spend money,” said Turner. “We need to let them know there are a lot more opportunities here in New Jersey and I would like to see the number of exports equal the number of imports.”

Mercer County is currently home to five Taiwanese companies. Turner hopes the official trip will encourage more Taiwan-based companies to set up off shore manufacturing within Mercer County bringing additional revenue and job growth to the area.